Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-06-25
HER TWO LOVERS.

more kindly upon Bertram Wyland and
less upon Mr.. March. Not but what like
the one quite as we'll as the other; but while
Bertram is Independently wesithy, and in
the first society, no one knows much about
Mr.. March,"
The speaker is a motherly- looking lady
whose genial smile contradicts the worldly
spirits her word would seem to reveal.
Her niece, whom she calls Janet, is sitting
by the window, her bright head bent over
the gay crewels that cover her lap. At her
aunfs words she looks up, an expression
or extreme surprise visible in her long
dashed, violet eyes.
"Why, auntie, never before did think
you had mercenary idea! Is it really you
who are talking about wealth, and first So
ciety, and all that2"
A little flush rises to the elder ladys face,
as she replies, deprecatingly, II am not
mercenary; Janet; but I want to see you
settled adventageously, for you know that
by the terms of your uncles will I can
make no requests, and I have often
thought. my darling, If should die, what
would become of you, brought up as you
have been with every luxury; how could
you breast the world alone?"
Janet's soft hand upon her lips checks
her.
do not-do not talk of dying. auntie
dear? Why, you are still young woman;
and never trouble yourself about me again,
for I have youth and health, and I would
not be ashamed to work should it be neces-
sary for me to do So"
"But, Janet, you like Bertram, do you
not2"
"Yes, auntie, like him very much"
And with this answer Mrs. Elmer was
obliged to be content.
Ever since Janet Alcott and her aunt
came to the watering place in which our
story opens, Janet has taken her position
as the acknowledged belle of every gather
ing, but among the many adorers who have
sighed at her shrine, two only of the mum.
They are Bertram Wyland-her aunt's
favorite-and John March-the young man
mo one knows"
They are different in appearance as their
names are in sound: for while Bertram is
handsome-a very AGonis-and his grace
full manners show the hdDitue of society,
Mr.. March is grave and thoughtful, but
with a. steadfast look in his brown eyes
that suggests more than ordinary char
acter. To tell tie truth, in her own mind
Janet has Lot yet determined which of her
two admirers she likes best, though-as her
aunt has already suspected-the balance is
wavering in Mr.. March's favor, when
chance suddenly turns it the other way.
OF all things, Janet dearly loves and adj
mires heroism-a courage that would face
undaunted any peril for good cause-and
something which her friend Agnes Flem-
ing tells her soon after the conversation
with her aunt which we have recorded,
causes her delicate lips to curve with sud-
den scorn.
A child, while bathing in the serf, had
ventured beyond her depth, and of two
gentlemen who were standing within view,
one only, Mr.. Wyland, had rushed to her
assistance; the other, Mr.. March, turning
and walking composedly back to the hotel,
not even pausing to ascertain whether his |
comrade needed his aid or not.
II never would have believed it Of him
never!" Janet cries.
"How serious you are over it, janet"
laughs Agnes. al shall begin to think that |
you care for this Mr.. March good deal,
or you'd certainly not take it SO much to
heart"
But janet did not respond to her badin- |
age.
al shall never respect him again." she |
said, vehemenly. sAny one who could act |
in such cold blooded way is not worthy
of respect"
As Janet went back to the hotel, on her
way she passed Mr.. March, and caused
that young mans heart to sink to zero by
the cold hauteur Of the nod which was all |
she vouched him. II
Janet, Mr.. Wyland was here this morn.
ting while you were out walking with |
Agnes" Mrs. Elmer said later, coming into
her nieee's room. "Can you not imagine
what his errand WASP"
Janet blushed, and her pretty head
dropped q little.
so 1t has come at last-the time when she |
must decide whether she will take Bertram
Wyland for her husband. or by rejecting |
him lose him out of her life entirely-even |
as friend.
He has been very agreeable compan. |
ion, and she has enjoyed the hours spent |
in his society; then, too, her kind aunt |
looks upon him with such favor.
But yet. into Janet's mind comes mem. |
DRY of pair Of earnest brown eyes, which |
have long told her silently, though elo-
quently, how dear she is to their owner. |
But she drives the thought away. John
March can never be anything to her.
He is coming tomorrow for his answer,
dear, said her aunts voice. sWhat il il /
70 be2s
sAuntie, Janet said, edo You suppose |
Bertram thinks ] Am rich-that am your